Abstract: A method for concurrently communicating over each phase of an electrical power distribution network (N). A first outbound signal (SO1) is transmitted over one phase (AN-A) of a bus (S) by an outbound modulation unit. The unit is released as soon as the first outbound signal (SO1) is transmitted so the unit can transmit a second outbound signal (SO2) over a second phase (BN-B or CN-C) of the bus. The second outbound signal is transmitted concurrently with an inbound signal (IB1) sent in response to the first outbound signal (SO1). The unit is again released, as soon as the second outbound signal (SO2) is transmitted, so the unit can transmit a third outbound signal (SO3) over the third phase (BN-B or CN-C) of the bus. This third outbound signal is transmitted concurrently with a second inbound signal (IB2) sent in response to the second outbound signal (SO2). The method allows concurrent communications over all three phases of the network (N).

Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.

Abstract: A flow testing system and method are provided for facilitating the continuous flow testing of fluid flow systems and components. An exemplary flow testing system and method are suitably configured for direct implementation into the manufacturing processes for fluid flow systems and components or for stand-alone operation, and can facilitate increased flow testing throughput. An exemplary flow testing system comprises a flow amplifier subsystem, a piping subsystem, a venturi subsystem, and an output coupling subsystem. The flow amplifier subsystem is configured for coupling to an ambient air source, while the output coupling subsystem is configured for coupling to a fluid flow component for testing.

Abstract: An optical sensor for measuring physical properties of a strand includes a light source, and a pixel array having a plurality of pixels facing the light source. The array and light source define an area in which the strand is positioned so that an image of the strand is captured on the array by generating an output value at each of the pixels relative to an intensity of the light received at each of the pixels from the light source. A digital signal processor receives and processes the output value for each of the pixels to extract a particular physical property of the strand. The output value of each pixel can be an analog value, and the signal processor can digitize the analog value to generate a digitized value for each pixel.

Abstract: A variable frequency drive for an AC induction motor includes a stall sensing system coupled with a voltage frequency response system. Upon sensing a rise in the current which suggests a stall, and before triggering a motor shutdown, the VFD is caused to increase the V/f ratio to the motor and thereby induce a high-torque shaking response and seek to overcome any mechanically induced stall. The motor can be cycled between a first V/f ratio and a second V/f ratio in several attempts to release the stall.

Abstract: A system is provided for compressing one or both of the uterine arteries of a patient which is at least in part shaped to complement the shape of the exterior of the cervix, which allows the system to be self-positioning. One or more Doppler chips can be mounted or incorporated into the system which permit the practitioner to better identify the uterine artery and monitor blood flow therein. The system includes a pair of pivotally joined elements which can be moved toward and away from the cervix to compress a uterine artery.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a distributed control network for irrigation management. The system incorporates several irrigation controllers wherein each of the controllers can transmit, receive and respond to commands initiated by any device or satellite controller on the network, a communication bus that is connected to the controllers, a central computer that is connected to the bus, several sensing devices that are connected to each controller, and several sprinkler valves that are connected to each controller. The controllers can be operated in local mode via a user interface and in a remote mode via a wireless connection. The controllers are capable of monitoring and acknowledging the commands that are transmitted on the bus.

Abstract: A diffusion-type gas sensor is disclosed. The sample chamber uses a narrow slot as a gas diffusion port. The slot is advantageous as it can be formed during extrusion of chamber stock material, instead of during subsequent machining steps that are costly and may adversely affect the chamber surfaces. Further, the slot profile can be designed according to various profiles and/or positions that can improve gas diffusion, chamber reflection efficiency, or both, as compared to conventional ported chamber designs.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining the total torque required at the main and tail rotors of a helicopter for use in feed-forward rotor torque anticipation which includes a polynomial neural network adapted and configured to predict the aerodynamic torque at the main and tail rotors with the helicopter in motion based upon a plurality of pilot inputs and airframe inputs, a main rotor load map for determining the torque at the main rotor in hover out of ground effects based upon main rotor speed and collective stick position, a tail rotor load map for determining the torque at the tail rotor with the helicopter stationary based upon main rotor speed and pedal position, and a processor for calculating the required total torque at the main and tail rotors by summing the outputs of the polynomial neural network, and the main and tail rotor load maps.

Abstract: A system for performing feed-forward anticipation of rotor torque demand on a helicopter engine is disclosed which includes a flight control computer adapted and configured to predict the total torque required at the main and tail rotors of the helicopter, and an engine fuel control system adapted and configured to compute the rate of change of the total torque, convert the rate of change of the total torque to an engine acceleration/deceleration rate, and obtain a demanded engine acceleration/deceleration rate therefrom.

Abstract: Analog circuitry is disclosed for conditioning a signal from linear and rotary variable differential transformers having a primary winding, a pair of secondary windings and a movable core. The circuitry includes a unique closed loop negative feedback mechanism which, over time, adjusts the frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator so that a steady-state condition is achieved within the circuitry, whereby the total integrated value of the secondary winding voltages at an integrator remains equal to a reference voltage, thereby reducing the computational burden associated with solving an equation to determine the position of the movable core of the transformer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a “real time” Time Limited Dispatch (TLD) fault management system and method for evaluating the operational suitability of an engine's electronic control system. The TLD system disclosed herein uses a software algorithm to compute or predict the probability of mission success for a given upcoming mission length (e.g., two hours) and the time remaining to repair control system faults before dispatch is disallowed or the flight suspended, regardless of the probability of success.

Abstract: Disclosed is an engine surge avoidance system and method which adapts the acceleration schedules (i.e., P2.5 bleed valve and NDOT) to prevent engine surge events from occurring while minimizing reductions in engine response time. The surge avoidance system and method disclosed herein achieves this goal by adapting both the NDOT and the P2.5 bleed schedules in an optimum fashion.

Abstract: A fuel metering unit including a pump having a rotor with a plurality of slots. The pump also includes a pivotally movable cam ring coaxially arranged with respect to the rotor. Vanes are slideably disposed in the slots for maintaining contact with the cam ring during movement thereof. A servovalve has a motor and nozzles operatively connected to the pump such that increased flow through the first nozzle pivots the ring of the pump toward maximum while increased flow through the second nozzle pivots the ring toward minimum. An arm extends between the nozzles for varying fluid flow therethrough. The arm couples to the motor such that the motor moves the arm. A flow meter connects to the pump and an end of the arm for applying a force against the arm to assist in maintaining position of the arm.

Abstract: A slotted spool valve for a speed control apparatus offering rapid response to prevent speed searching and cogging at low speed settings. Round port spool valve arrangements are replaced with a valve arrangement having rectangular-shaped ports. Response of the rectangular-shaped ports provides for rapid and sufficient fluid flow or bypass with less movement of a control shaft than that required for use with round port spool valve arrangements.

Abstract: A treatment procedure is disclosed which involves the short term, non-permanent occlusion of the patient's blood vessels by depositing a bioabsorbable embolic mass within the patient's blood vessel. The procedure is particularly suitable for treating uterine disorders by occluding a patient's uterine arteries. A therapeutically effective time period for occlusion of a uterine artery is from about 0.5 to about 48 hours, preferably about 1 to about 24 hours, with occlusion times of about 1 to about 8 hours being suitable in many instances. The embolic mass may bioabsorbable particulate with minimum transverse dimensions of about 100 to about 2000 micrometers, preferably about 300 to about 1000 micrometers. The particulate may be a polymeric material formed of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid or copolymers thereof, or a swellable copolymer of lactic acid and polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: The invention provides a devices, methods and systems to measure and record uterine tissue environment components such as pH during the course of uterine artery occlusion. The uterus becomes ischemic due to the occlusion thereof, and its pH drops sharply within minutes of uterine artery occlusion and remains relatively low for a period of time. The return of normal pH is an indicator of return of blood to the ischemic tissue. In use, a catheter with a pH measuring tip is advanced through the patient's vaginal canal and into the patient's uterine cavity until the pH measuring active electrode on the distal end of the catheter contacts or penetrates the uterine fundus. The active electrode detects the pH and a signal representing pH is transmitted to a pH recording and monitoring device which preferably displays the pH. The signal may be transmitted through a conductor or by a radio transmitter. Components other than pH may be monitored such a pCO2, and pO2.

Abstract: Systems that monitor and control energy distribution manage energy distribution or use for Energy Service Providers and end-users. A system includes a publicly or privately accessible distributed network, a network access device, and a management device. The network access device communicates with the management device through the distributed network to control loads at a remote location. The method of monitoring and controlling energy distribution receives data at an on-line Site, processes an application program that evaluates load and market supply data, and initiates power curtailment requests or power curtailment events.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a new and useful method of detecting in-range engine sensor faults for a gas turbine engine associated with a helicopter. The method includes the steps of computing engine shaft horsepower for a plurality of engine sensor, computing a first mean horsepower from the plurality of engine sensors, computing the horsepower deviation from the first mean horsepower for each engine sensor, computing a horsepower deviation ratio for each engine sensor relative to all other engine sensors, disabling the engine sensor with the largest deviation from the first mean horsepower, computing a second mean horsepower, computing the horsepower deviation from the second mean horsepower for each engine sensor, re-computing the horsepower deviation ratio for each engine sensor relative to all other engine sensors, comparing the horsepower deviation ratios to predefined limits, and declaring a sensor fault if the horsepower deviation ratio for an engine sensor exceeds a predefined limit.